Fishers and farmers from the Island Garden City of Samal received millions-worth of agricultural and fishery assistance during the visit of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on July 13, 2018.
Ten 21-foot fiberglass boats amounting to P617,210 each were awarded to twenty fishers, under a joint-ownership system, which allows for the maximum utilization of the boats. Under the scheme, DA is also assured that the fishing vessels are maintained and upkept. Fishing gears and other paraphernalia were also distributed during the Tapatan:Gobyerno at Mamamayan dialogue held at the Peñaplata gym.
The boat distribution is part of the national agenda of the government to empower and capacitate small fishers to improve their livelihood and living conditions.
Aside from livelihood, the agri chief urged the recipients to use the boats to guard the welfare of their seas. In his message, Piñol encouraged other residents to take part in the management and clean up drive of communities dubbed as Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK).
“Help your local government attain a Malinis and Masaganang Karagatan, and you may be awarded of a livelihood assistance package as high as P30-million,” he said.
Under MMK, local chief executives are urged to establish policies and local ordinances that will assure the protection and conservation of their local marine environment.
To make it to the final list of outstanding coastal areas, the local government must assure that their municipality or city has zero illegal fishing; clean coastal waters; regulated closed-fishing season; a well-managed marine sanctuary and mangrove areas.
While in Samal, Piñol talked to local fishers and farmers, and assured them that the present government has instituted reforms for the benefit of stakeholders involved in food production.
“We now have an easy access credit system that allows a farmer to enroll for a loan that only entails 6% interest without collateral,” the Secretary announced.
Under the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) Program, Piñol committed P30-million credit funds for the city.
Thru the DA regional office in Davao, Piñol also awarded farm inputs including corn and vegetable seeds, and P4.5M-worth of livestock projects to the city.
He also instructed BFAR National Director Undersecretary Edgardo Gongona to establish a fishing village in the area that will provide a sustainable and stable livelihood for the Badjaos. (oda rodriguez/DA-AFID)
